OAKLAND – The Port of Oakland has reopened after Wall Street protesters removed a blockade that had shut down operations overnight.

A small group of protesters had prevented trucks from going into the port since a massive demonstration there Wednesday night. They removed the trash cans and fencing from the entrances around 8:45 a.m.

Port officials say workers are returning to their jobs and operations have partially resumed.

A protest that shut down the Port of Oakland to show the broadening reach of the Occupy Wall Street movement ended in violence when police in riot gear arrested dozens of protesters overnight who broke into a vacant building, shattered downtown windows, sprayed graffiti and set blazes along the way.

At least four protesters were hospitalized Thursday with various injuries, including one needing stitches after fighting with an officer, police said. Several officers were also injured but didn't need hospitalization.

"We go from having a peaceful movement to now just chaos," protester Monique Agnew, 40, said early Thursday.

The far-flung movement of protesters challenging the world's economic systems and distribution of wealth has gained momentum in recent weeks, capturing the world's attention by shutting down one of the nation's busiest shipping ports toward the end of a daylong "general strike" that prompted solidarity rallies across the U.S.

Several thousands of people converged on the Port of Oakland, the nation's fifth-busiest harbor, in a nearly five-hour protest Wednesday, swarming the area and blocking exits and streets with illegally parked vehicles and hastily erected, chain-link fences afterward.

Port officials hoped to resume maritime operations Thursday "and that Port workers will be allowed to get to their jobs without incident. Continued missed shifts represent economic hardship for maritime workers, truckers, and their families, as well as lost jobs and lost tax revenue for our region."

Big trucks were backed up Thursday morning as footage on KGO-TV showed about a dozen protesters manning a chain link fence blocking a port entrance. Truck drivers argued with protesters, who said they planned to stay until at least 9 a.m.

Port officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the status of operations at the port.

Supporters in New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and elsewhere staged smaller-scale demonstrations. Each group said its protest was a show of support for the Oakland movement, which became a rallying point when an Iraq War veteran was seriously injured in a clash with police last week.

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An anarchy symbol covers the entrance to an office building at 1333 Broadway in Oakland.
An Occupy Oakland protester raises a sign near a burning trash heap on Thursday.
An Occupy Oakland protester, lit by a flare, rallies on Wednesday.
Occupy Oakland protesters claim a vacant building during a march on Wednesday.
An Occupy Oakland protester waves a flag next to a bonfire.
Unidentified protesters move a large potted tree during an Occupy Oakland demonstration.
An Occupy Oakland protester releases a spray toward a chemical agent used by authorities.
Occupy Oakland protester Mike Clift runs from teargas early Thursday morning.
Sheriff's deputies advance on Occupy Oakland protesters early Thursday morning.
An Occupy Oakland protester waves a flag next to a bonfire in Oakland.
Anarchists throw chairs at the windows of a supermarket during an "Occupy" demonstration.
A small group of Occupy Oakland protesters smash windows at a Wells Fargo bank branch on Wednesday.
Graffiti covers a building on Broadway following an Occupy Oakland protest on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, in Oakland, Calif. After a mainly peaceful day-long protest by thousands of anti-Wall Street demonstrators, several hundred rallied through the night with a few painting graffiti, breaking windows and setting fire to garbage cans. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
The skyline of Oakland flanks Occupy Oakland, Calif., protesters as thousands of people marched to the Port of Oakland, effectively shutting the port down for several hours, Wednesday Nov. 2, 2011. (AP Photo, Kent Porter, Santa Rosa Press Democrat)
Truck Driver Singh Mann of Pittsburg, Calif., records the moment as Occupy Oakland, protesters shut down the Port of Oakland, stranding dozens of truckers coming in and out of the port, Wednesday Nov. 2, 2011. (AP Photo, Kent Porter, Santa Rosa Press Democrat)
An Occupy protester shows peace signs to Oakland Police officers in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
A protester jumps to hit the Wells Fargo sign, at 12th and Broadway, with a hammer as Occupy Oakland protesters take to the street in Oakland, California, Wednesday, November 2, 2011. (Karl Mondon/Contra Costa Times/MCT)
A protester breaks a window , at 12th and Broadway, as Occupy Oakland protesters take to the street in Oakland, California, Wednesday, November 2, 2011. (Karl Mondon/Contra Costa Times/MCT)
Occupy Oakland protesters block a truck during a march on the Port of Oakland on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, in Oakland, California. (Anda Chu/Oakland Tribune/MCT)
Occupy Oakland protesters stand atop a railroad scaffold at the Port of Oakland on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, in Oakland, Calif. Thousands of Wall Street protesters took to Oakland's streets as part of a day-long series of events, called a citywide strike, aimed at asserting the movement's strength and shutting down commerce. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Occupy Oakland protesters look at broken windows at the Wells Fargo Bank branch on 12th and Broadway Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, in Oakland, Calif. Oakland's citywide general strike, a hastily planned and ambitious action called by Occupy protesters a day after police forcibly removed their City Hall encampment last week, seeks to shut down the Port of Oakland. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Pedestrians look at the graffiti left by demonstrators at a Whole Foods market in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011 during an Occupy Wall Street protest. Protestors escalated their tactics beyond marches, rallies and tent camps Wednesday and moved to disrupt the flow of goods at the nation's fifth-busiest port. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Demonstrators with the Occupy movement stand on a utility box at the Port of Oakland November 2, 2011 in Oakland, California. Tens of thousands of protestors have marched to the Port of Oakland for a general strike organized by Occupy Oakland. Port operations shut down for the evening. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
Graffiti is written on a Wells Fargo sign at an Occupy Oakland protester on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, in Oakland, Calif. Thousands of Wall Street protesters marched in the streets of Oakland as they geared up with labor unions to picket banks, take over foreclosed homes and vacant buildings and disrupt operations at the fifth-busiest U.S. port. Officials described the protests as peaceful and orderly and said no arrests had been made. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Occupy Oakland protester Alfredo Coronado waves a flag while standing atop a big rig truck at the Port of Oakland on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, in Oakland, Calif. Thousands of Wall Street protesters took to Oakland's streets as part of a day-long series of events, called a citywide strike, aimed at asserting the movement's strength and shutting down commerce. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Paramedics help an injured Occupy Oakland protester after a car stuck him and another demonstrator while they marched on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, in Oakland, Calif. Thousands of anti-Wall Street protesters took to Oakland's streets as part of a day-long series of events. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Protesters help an injured Occupy Oakland demonstrator after a police-fired projectile struck his leg on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, in Oakland, Calif. Following a mainly peaceful day-long protest by thousands of anti-Wall Street demonstrators, several hundred rallied through the night with some painting graffiti, breaking windows and setting file to garbage cans. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Occupy Oakland protester Anna Buschman calls for peace as sheriff's deputies approach on demonstrators on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, in Oakland, Calif. Following a mainly peaceful day-long protest by thousands of anti-Wall Street demonstrators, several hundred rallied through the night with some painting graffiti, breaking windows and setting file to garbage cans. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Occupy Oakland protesters pasted a large check across the doors of a Citibank branch during a demonstration on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, in Oakland, California. (Anda Chu/Oakland Tribune/MCT)
Occupy Wall Street protestors stand on top of a parked semi truck during a march from downtown Oakland, Calif., to the port of Oakland on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. Protestors escalated their tactics beyond marches, rallies and tent camps and moved to disrupt the flow of goods at the nation's fifth-busiest port. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Occupy Oakland Calif., protesters cheer as they climb on tractor trailers loaded with shipping containers at the Port of Oakland, Wednesday Nov. 2, 2011, effectively shutting down the United States' fifth busiest port during a day of non-stop protesting in Oakland. (AP Photo, Kent Porter, Santa Rosa Press Democrat)
Protesters march in the streets of Chicago on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, to join a national day of protests in solidarity with Oakland, Calif. Students from several area colleges protested in solidarity with Occupy Oakland and Scott Olsen, a two tour Iraq War veteran who suffered a head injury during a protest in Oakland on Oct. 25. Fellow veterans said Olsen was struck in the head by a projectile fired by police, although the exact object and who might have been responsible for the injury have not been definitively established. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
An ATM is seen vandalized at a Chase bank in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. Thousands of anti-Wall Street protesters are in the streets of Oakland, Calif., as part of a day-long series of events aimed at showing the movement's strength and unity. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
A broken window is seen at a Chase bank in Oakland, Calif., Weds., Nov. 2, 2011. Protesters are carrying out a series of marches across Oakland on Wednesday to make a statement about the power and unity of the anti-Wall Street movement as they team up with labor unions to picket banks, take over foreclosed homes and vacant buildings and disrupt operations at the nation's fifth-busiest port. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Demonstrators with the Occupy movement place a sign in the door of a bank November 2, 2011 in Oakland, California. The group called for a general strike today, and planned to march on the city's port later in the day. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
A demonstrator with the Occupy movement walks in front of a bank November 2, 2011 in Oakland, California. The group called for a general strike today, and planned to march on the city's port later in the day. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
Demonstrators with the Occupy movement gather in front of the state building November 2, 2011 in Oakland, California. The group called for a general strike today, and planned to march on the city's port later in the day. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
About 100 demonstrators from the Occupy DC movement shut down rush hour traffic as they march down Pennsylvania Ave November 2, 2011 in Washington, DC. The demonstrators marched to the Justice Department while protesting police violence against fellow Occupy Movement camps in Oakland and other cities across the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
A protestor holds a flag while blocking the entrance to a port at the Port of Oakland during Occupy Oakland's general strike on November 2, 2011 in Oakland, California. Tens of thousands of protestors have tmarched to the Port of Oakland for a general strike organized by Occupy Oakland. Port operations shut down for the evening. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***
Protestors block the entrance to a port at the Port of Oakland during Occupy Oakland's general strike on November 2, 2011 in Oakland, California. Tens of thousands of protestors have tmarched to the Port of Oakland for a general strike organized by Occupy Oakland. Port operations shut down for the evening. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
A demonstrator with the Occupy movement marches on the Port of Oakland November 2, 2011 in Oakland, California. Tens of thousands of protestors have marched to the Port of Oakland for a general strike organized by Occupy Oakland. Port operations shut down for the evening. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
A Citibank ATM is seen with signs left by Occupy Oakland protesters Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, in Oakland, Calif. Oakland's citywide general strike, a hastily planned and ambitious action called by Occupy protesters a day after police forcibly removed their City Hall encampment last week, seeks to shut down the Port of Oakland. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Occupy Oakland protesters rally in front of the State of California building Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, in Oakland, Calif. Oakland's citywide general strike, a hastily planned and ambitious action called by Occupy protesters a day after police forcibly removed their City Hall encampment last week, seeks to shut down the Port of Oakland. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Occupy Oakland protesters march through the Port of Oakland on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, in Oakland, Calif. Thousands of protesters took to Oakland's streets as part of a day-long series of events, called a citywide strike, aimed at asserting the movement's strength and shutting down commerce. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Sheriff's deputies advance on Occupy Oakland protesters on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, in Oakland, Calif. Following a mainly peaceful day-long protest by thousands of anti-Wall Street demonstrators, several hundred rallied through the night with some painting graffiti, breaking windows and setting file to garbage cans. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
A protester dressed as Darth Vader stands outside of XXX as a security guard looks on in Oakland, Calif., Weds., Nov. 2, 2011. Protesters are carrying out a series of marches across Oakland on Wednesday to make a statement about the power and unity of the anti-Wall Street movement as they team up with labor unions to picket banks, take over foreclosed homes and vacant buildings and disrupt operations at the nation's fifth-busiest port. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Occupy Portland participants cross the Hawthorne Bridge during their march in solidarity with Occupy Oakland Wednesday Nov. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Ray Whitehouse - The Oregonian)
Occupy protesters sit in a building they've occupied in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Trucks are lined up as protesters block streets near the Port of Oakland during a call for a general strike in Oakland, California, Wednesday, November 2, 2011. (Karl Mondon/Contra Costa Times/MCT)
Occupy Oakland protesters climb down from atop a railroad scaffold at the Port of Oakland in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. Protestors escalated their tactics beyond marches, rallies and tent camps and moved to disrupt the flow of goods at the nation's fifth-busiest port. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Occupy Oakland protesters march through the Port of Oakland on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, in Oakland, Calif. Thousands of Wall Street protesters took to Oakland's streets as part of a day-long series of events, called a citywide strike, aimed at asserting the movement's strength and shutting down commerce. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Anti-Wall Street protesters prepare to march in the streets of Chicago joining a national day of protests in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. Students from several area colleges protested in solidarity with Occupy Oakland and Scott Olsen, a two tour Iraq War veteran who suffered a head injury during a protest in Oakland on Oct. 25. Fellow veterans said Olsen was struck in the head by a projectile fired by police, although the exact object and who might have been responsible for the injury have not been definitively established. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
An anti-Wall Street protester prepare to march in the streets of Chicago joining a national day of protests in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. Students from several area colleges protested in solidarity with Occupy Oakland and Scott Olsen, a two tour Iraq War veteran who suffered a head injury during a protest in Oakland on Oct. 25. Fellow veterans said Olsen was struck in the head by a projectile fired by police, although the exact object and who might have been responsible for the injury have not been definitively established. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Protesters prepare to march in the streets of Chicago joining a national day of protests in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. Students from several area colleges protested in solidarity with Occupy Oakland and Scott Olsen, a two tour Iraq War veteran whose skull was fractured last week when police moved in on an Oakland encampment. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Anti-Wall Street protesters prepare to march in the streets of Chicago joining a national day of protests in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. Students from several area colleges protested in solidarity with Occupy Oakland and Scott Olsen, a two tour Iraq War veteran whose skull was fractured last week when police moved in on an Oakland encampment. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Anti-Wall Street protesters prepare to march in the streets of Chicago joining a national day of protests in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. Students from several area colleges protested in solidarity with Occupy Oakland and Scott Olsen, a two tour Iraq War veteran whose skull was fractured last week when police moved in on an Oakland encampment. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Occupy Oakland protesters stand outside of a Wells Fargo bank in Oakland, Calif., Weds., Nov. 2, 2011. Thousands of Occupy Wall Street protesters escalated their tactics beyond marches, rallies and tent camps Wednesday and moved to disrupt the flow of goods at the nation's fifth-busiest port. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Occupy Los Angeles protester Alvaro Maldonado, 59, holds signs during a rally in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. In Los Angeles, New York and other cities, demonstrators held their own rallies in solidarity with the Oakland protesters, who called for Wednesday's "general strike" after the city became a rallying point last week when an Iraq War veteran was injured in clashes with police. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A driver takes pictures of Occupy Los Angeles protesters with an iPhone during a rally in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. In Los Angeles, New York and other cities, demonstrators held their own rallies in solidarity with the Oakland protesters, who called for Wednesday's "general strike" after the city became a rallying point last week when an Iraq War veteran was injured in clashes with police. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Occupy Los Angeles protesters shout their slogans during a rally Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, in Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, New York and other cities, demonstrators held their own rallies in solidarity with the Oakland protesters, who called for Wednesday's "general strike." (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
"Occupy" protestors are seen before the premiere of "A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas" in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. "A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas" opens in theaters Nov. 4, 2011. Matt Sayles, The Associated Press
A group of Occupy Los Angeles protesters participate in a yoga class before a rally in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. At its peak, about 300 protesters marched peacefully through the city to express solidarity with Occupy Wall Street activists in Oakland who had called for a "general strike" Wednesday. The city became a rallying point last week when Scott Olsen, an Iraq War veteran, was injured in clashes with police. Jae C. Hong, The Associated Press
Occupy Los Angeles protester Alvaro Maldonado, 59, holds signs during a rally in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. In Los Angeles, New York and other cities, demonstrators held their own rallies in solidarity with the Oakland protesters, who called for Wednesday's "general strike" after the city became a rallying point last week when an Iraq War veteran was injured in clashes with police. Jae C. Hong, The Associated Press
Occupy Portland participants exit the Hawthorne Bridge during their march in solidarity with Occupy Oakland Wednesday Nov. 2, 2011. Ray Whitehouse, The Oregonian
About 100 demonstrators from the Occupy DC movement shut down rush hour traffic as they march through downtown November 2, 2011 in Washington, DC. The demonstrators marched to the Justice Department while protesting police violence against fellow Occupy Movement camps in Oakland and other cities across the United States. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
About 100 demonstrators from the Occupy DC movement shut down rush hour traffic as they march through downtown on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. The demonstrators marched to the Justice Department while protesting police violence against fellow Occupy Movement camps in Oakland and other cities across the United States. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
About 100 demonstrators from the Occupy DC movement shut down rush hour traffic as they march through downtown November 2, 2011 in Washington, DC. The demonstrators marched to the Justice Department while protesting police violence against fellow Occupy Movement camps in Oakland and other cities across the United States. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Occupy Chicago protesters gather in Chicago's Grant Park after marching through the Loop, on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. Protesters are gathering in Chicago's financial district to march in solidarity with other anti-Wall Street protesters nationwide for an Iraq War veteran who was injured in clashes between protesters and police in California, as well as other issues including the nation's growing student loan debt. Charles Rex Arbogast, The Associated Press
Joshua Shepard, 27, left, a U.S. Navy veteran from San Francisco and Kyle Quigley, 27, right, an Army veteran from Harrisburg, Pa., lead a march of military veterans past the New York Stock Exchange to join and support the Occupy Wall Street Protest at Zuccotti Park on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011 in New York. About 100 military veterans joined the Occupy Wall Street protest. Bebeto Matthews, The Associated Press
Approximately a dozen Occupy Wall Street protesters sweep in front of the New York Stock Exchange in New York, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. Barricades surrounding the stock exchange were recently removed, allowing protesters to symbolically "clean up" Wall Street. Seth Wenig, The Associated Press
Protesters from the Occupy Boston movement, students from area colleges, and union workers chant slogans and display placards and the American flag as they march through downtown Boston, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. The march was held to protest the nations growing student debt burden. Steven Senne, The Associated Press

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